Hi ladies,
So I'm trying to buy most of my son's clothes used and a huge fall/winter consignment sale is being held near me later this month. I'm trying to figure out exactly what he'll need for this fall and winter. I don't really want to overbuy, but I don't want to get into the season, forget something, and have to buy it full price. He's tall and seems to grow out of his clothes about a month (or more) ahead of schedule. He'll be a year old at Thanksgiving so I'm thinking the 12 month clothes will be too small by around Halloween. We live in Atlanta so it doesn't usually get cold until December or later, and my son is pretty hot natured. I'd love any suggestions about items you think are "must haves," sizes, and quantities. He usually can get through a day in just one outfit.
Thanks so much!
Thanks so much for all the practical suggestions. There were definitely things I didn't think about on my own. I especially appreciate the southern girls chimin' in!
sweat pants, t-shirts (long and short sleeve), and zip-up hoodies
Maybe 10 bottoms, 14 tops, and 4 hoodies?
my daughter loves them in winter warm and cozy without being too bulky.
He is getting big enough for "little boy" looking clothes. Hoodies to toss on if it is chilly and off if it is not are great. Tee shirts are good for layering - a thermal long sleeved one under a cute short sleeved one is a cute boy look. The good thing about stuff like that is that it doesn't really need to fit exactly. His next size up is eighteen to 24 months so there's a lot of leeway there. Cords and jeans with elastic waists are good. You can mix and match that stuff - so much easier than the matchy matchy baby outfits. These are functional, inexpensive things to stock up on.
i had a 12 month old boy in florida and learned the hard way. stay away from the cords. way too much warmth for your climate. jeans and khakis are plenty weight. also, stick with your t-shirts. your climate will be cold in the morning, but warm up mid-day. put a hoodie or fleece on for the morning and evening hours. when it starts to warm up you can strip off the the fleece so he can be comfie. try to dress him in the same weight you are in, with the inclination to go a little lighter for him than yourself. remember, he's an active little boy! if you were to move/squirm as much as he did, you'd be in a sweat very quickly if over-dressed. i raised my kids (in N. Florida) the same way my father was raised (in Wisconsin) - a little underdressed. they will not get sick from being a little chilled. however, i am convinced you can condition your child to feel cold at moderate temps by overdressing them, and their immune system doesn't grow as strong if the body is always over-heated. my kids are NEVER sick. my son, 8.5 years old, has vomited 2x in his whole life, and had one cold. and it isn't because my house is clean or from great genetics. i'll get off my soap box now. oh, but one more thing first. if you overdress & they are balmy under all the layers, you risk dehydration a lot faster than if they are a little cool. the air is already drier in the winter, which will sap a lot more moisture from them.
I loved all the fleece type sweats from Old Navy and long john type shirts...also slippers for inside the house (but I hate walking in socks...ever) and Robeez type slippers...I always made sure I had a pair of pull on rain boots for them to try and put on themselves, and they are great for when it's wet outside and you have to quickly run to the store! A couple zip up hoodies and a few cute pair of jeans and some T-shirts...I also think there is no such thing as too many pairs of PJ's, I loved the tight 2 piece form fitting kind...so cute!
I would buy at least size 18 months but in Jeans, (adjustable waist-who ever came up w/that idea was using their noggin) and Hoodies and tight fitting PJ's even you could probably go with 2T.
We live in Atlanta as well, and I have two boys, so these are the items I put them in time and time again (do remember that his growth is going to start slowing a little bit. He'll still grow pretty fast, but they start staying in some sized a little longer around 12m):
Several pullover fleeces. Great finds at consignment sales because they're often expensive. I actually got my boys two a piece last day-after T-day at Gap because they were BOGO free! I bought them a size too big so they can wear them again this year. One GREAT thing about the half-zip, pull over fleeces is that they look really cute if they're a little big, so you could get some 18m ones now and they should be just fine all fall and winter.
We are HUGE fans of Osh Kosh jeans, cargo pants and cordorouys. Look for that brand because they fit well and really last! Those, Baby Gap, Children's Place, Gymboree, Ralph Lauren and some dept. store brands also have the adjustable waist band that is GENIUS! You can buy a full size too big and adjust the inner waist band, then slowly let it out as your kid grows! I've even found them on some Target clothes.
Lots and lots of long sleeved t-shirts and cotton turtlenecks. These are great for layering and look cute on their own with a pair of jeans. I also like henley-style (with the 3 buttons). You can put a long-sleeve tee over a turtleneck too and it's cute! These are also easy to buy a little big and let your child grow into -they look cute regardless. I would get 18m in those.
Get him some galoshes and a rain coat. When he starts walking he will LOVE the galoshes and he's going to splash in puddles no matter what! Galoshes can also be purchased a little big and they're often at consignment sales.
A few cotton sweaters -again 18m. Down here the cotton sweaters are just the right weight and are also great for layering. They're also machine washable!
***One note -until recently I have been on a VERY tight budget for 4 years. Both of my boys were born during that time, and I've gone to many consignment sales and had a lot of success. My favorite place to shop for them, however, is either the Locust Grove Tanger Outlets on 75 South or the GA 400 outlets in Dawsonville. They both have TONS of kids outlets -Carters, Osh Kosh, Gymboree, Children's Place, Old Navy Kids,Ralph Lauren, Baby Gap, Salzburg -and more. They have amazing deals, and if you get on their email list they will send you coupons for an extra 10% and 20% off! I regularly get pajama sets, t-shirts, long-sleeve tees, turtlenecks for $5 a piece and cute sweaters and pants for between $8 and $12. I'm always amazed at how much I get for $40 or $50! I primarily stick to Osh Kosh and Carter's, but sometimes you find great stuff at Children's Place and I always like to get a few things at Gymboree and Baby Gap. Also -you can get seriously cute shorts and tees and polos at Old Navy or Old Navy online for $5 -$8 when they have their pre-season sales.
***Oh -and I don't know if you're new to the area or not, but cords are FINE here. In fact, it gets pretty cold and stays cold for stretches here during the winter. My kids wear cords all fall and winter long -comfortably! They're one of my favorite things to dress them in!
Buy a size or 2 up.
Kids grow fast.
Just buy basics.... socks, jacket, Hoodie jacket, pj's, pants with elastic waist (much easier), hat, gloves if need be, long sleeve shirts, short sleeves shirts (you can layer his clothing)....
Kids this age do not need tons of clothing. Just basics. 2 jackets, and LAYER his clothing...then if he is too hot, you just take off a layer.
ie: if you have a short sleeve t-shirt layered over a long-sleeve t-shirt... you can always take off the short sleeve t-shirt.... if he is hot. Then have long pants on him.
Just basics. Its real easy to spend too much money on 1 year old clothing... layer layer layer clothing, with basics. That is the best solution for weather/cold/warm dressing.
all the best,
Susan
